The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 21, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. David Kahler, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” | Matthew 8:18–22, ESV
GATHERING
Prelude: Day By Day | Ahnfelt/Fettke
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming,
and is now here,
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,
and those who hear will live.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Marching to Zion
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Lord God, because Jesus has taught us to trust you in all things, we hold to his Word and share his plea:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where nations budget for war, while Christ says, “Put away your sword”:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where countries waste food and covet fashion, while Christ says, “I was hungry . . I was naked . . .”:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where Christians seek the kingdom in the shape of their own church, as if Christ had come to build and not to break barriers:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where people who speak up for their dignity are treated with scorn or contempt:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where retribution is the only justice sought, while Christ tells us to restore the outcast, imprisoned, and oppressed:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where we, obsessed with being adults, forget to become like children:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where our love falters, our faith weakens, and our hope diminishes against Christ’s command to proclaim His Kingdom and heal the sick:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the Good News! “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Live in the sure hope of God’s promise in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Matthew 22:37-40
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Lord God,
you have declared that your kingdom is among us.
Open our eyes to see it,
our ears to hear it,
our hearts to hold it,
our hands to serve it.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:57-62
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Proclaim the Kingdom?” | Rev. Kahler
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering Consecration | Courtney
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Oh Lord God,
When we’re down and helpless,
when lies are reigning,
when fear and indifference are growing,
may your kingdom come.
When joy is missing,
when love is missing,
and unbelief is growing,
may your kingdom come.
To those who are sick and lonely,
to those who are imprisoned and tortured,
may your kingdom come.
Into the churches,
into our praying, into our singing,
may your kingdom come.
Into our hearts,
into our hands, into our eyes,
may your kingdom come!
This we pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: The Sprit Sends Us Forth to Serve
Benediction
Postlude: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart | Messiter/Wagner
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, August 14 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, August 21 - Eggs
Sunday, August 28 - Gallon(s) whole milk
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED